Desulphurizing and oxidizing ore-furnace



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

W. T. BROWNE.

DBSULPHURIZING AND OXIDIZING ORE FURNACE.

No. 259,475. Patented June 13, 1882,

n. PETERS. Photo-Limosnphen Washington a a 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(H0 ModeL) W. T. BROWNE.

DESULPHURIZING AND OXIDIZING ORE FURNACE.

No. 259,475. Patented June 13, 1882..

UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM T. BROWNE, OF STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA.

DESULPHURIZING AND OXIDIZING ORE-FURNACE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 259,475, dated June 13, 1882.

Application filed October 18. 1881.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM T. BROWNE, of Stockton, county of San Joaquin, State of California, have invented an Improved Desulphurizing and Oxidizing Ore-Furnace; and I hereby declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description thereof.

Myinvention relates to ccrtainimprovements in desulphurizing and oxidizing ore-furnaces; and it consists in the combination, in adesulphurizing-furnace, of an ore-roasting chamber, afire-place and intervening bridge-wall provided with a coiled pipe to introduce hot air into the roasting-chamber, two chimneys, one leading directly from the fire-place and one dircctly from the roasting-chamber, and an intervening valve, whereby the flame is directed through the roasting-chamber or directlyfrom the fireplace without passing through said chamber, and at will the ore may be relieved from the direct action of the products of combustion, but is freely supplied with heated air for oxidation, as hereinafter set forth and specifically claimed.

A further explanation of my invention will hereinafter more fully appear, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings,in which- Figure 1 shows a perspective of the furnace. Fig. 2 is avertical longitudinal section of same. Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the air-passage with blower. Fig. at shows a rear view of the entrance for the stirrer.

Similar letters indicate like parts.

In Fig. 1, let A represent the outside masonry of the furnace, having at its rear end an escape flue or chimney, B,which opens into the rear end of the ore-chamber, while another flue,

' 0, opens into the upper part of the fire-place,

shown in Fig. 2.

(No model.)

At the forward upper end of the ore-chamber is hinged a gate, J, adapted to swing upward to a horizontal plane, in which position it covers or closes the end of the flue C, or to swing downward to a vertical plane in order to closcthe mouth of the ore-chamber.

In the rear of the fire place is aheavy metal plate, K, or some substance which will stand the firc. In this plate is formed a passage, L, Fig. 3, which, by winding back and forth,traverses considerable space. The lower and outer end of the passage receives air from afanblower, M, and the upper and inner end has a slot, a, formed in it the width of the ore-chamber and opening into it.

In the flue B, I place a diaphragm, I), having a contracted central opening, 0, large enough to permit the escape of the gas andsmoke, but with some difliculty.

N represents the discharge-opening from the ore-chamber.

The rear end of the ore-chamber is covered by a plate, 0, in which is an aperture, (1, to allow the passage of the handle Q of the stirrer, and at the bottom is a roller, 6, upon which the handle moves.

P represents the stirrer, having a handle, Q, extending out through the aperture (1 and supported on the roller 0. A swinging plate, m, with a suitable notch,is adapted .to swing down around the handle to prevent the entrance of air through the aperture. The stirrerPis made of a length equal to the width of the ore-chamber, and has a triangular or prism shape, with one of its sides resting upon the floor of the orechamber, so that when moved to and fro over the floor of the ore-chamber it will thoroughly stir the ore.

The operation of the furnace I will now explain. The precious metals, when combined with sulphur, form ores which, on account of the difficulty in working, are known as rebellious ores. These require to be slowly heated or roasted to drive off the sulphur, and in the process it is necessary to admit air for the purpose of having the oxygen assist the operation. Heretofore the flame from the firechamber has usually been directed at once and continuouslyinto the ore-chamber, and because of its presence therein much of the air introduced must be consumed to feed the flame, and therefore the operation would occupy more time.

In my device the ore is fed through the opening E, and at first the swinging door J is elevated to close the fine 0 and open the orechamber H. The flame is directed into the ore-chamber, and when the ore is sufficiently heated to continue its combustion, with the assistance of the air through the passage L, the gate J is dropped and the flame shut outfrom the ore chamber. It then finds an outlet through the open flue O. The ore is still kept sufficiently heated by the burning of the sulphur contained in it, and the air which is forced in supplies oxygen to continue the combustion and also to oxidize the ore. This air is intensely heated in its passage through the winding chamber L, and is delivered directly into the ore-chamber, no portion of its oxygen being taken up in assisting the combustion of the fuel or gases from the fire-place, and its full effect is reserved for the ore.

The blower-connection enables me to have a steady certain current of air, and not rely upon the unassisted draft. By making the escape-flue B contracted by means of the perforated diaphragm I), I partially compress the air within the ore-chamber.

The operation of stirring in working sulphurets is a recognized necessity. The more air that is brought in contact with the ore the better will the sulphur burn. If the ore is not stirred, the sulphur will burn on the top and protect that below from the action of the air, so that but a very small portion is affected. It must therefore be constantly stirred. The objection to this operation is in the fact that to insert a stirrer something must be opened, and the cold air will rush in and reduce the heat of the furnace. This result always follows when the opening through which the stirrer is passed is in front or on the sides of the ore-chamber, because the cold air must circulate therein in finding its escape; but in my furnace, by having the chimney B at the rear of the crechamber, and the aperture cl also in the rear, it can be opened without danger, because the cold airwill pass up the chimney B, which is in convenient proximity, and thus not affect the temperature of the ore-chamber.

Another advantage of this construction is that for the reason just given the aperture (Z may with safety be allowed to remain open when desired. An opportunityis thus afforded to obtain a view of the inside of the ore-chamher in order to know where to stir, that the ore maybe kept well distributed and prevented from massing in any portion. This advantage is a desirable one, as the stirring may be done intelligently.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The combination, in a metallurgic furnace, of an ore-roasting chamber, H, a tire-place, F, and an intervening bridge-wall, K, inclosing a pipe, L, for injecting hot air into the roasting-chamber, a chimney, 0, leading directly from the fire-box, a chimney, B, communicating with the roasting-chamber, and a valve, J, which on being moved in one direction closes chimney (l, and on being moved in the other direction shuts off the fire-place from the roasting-chamber without closing the hot-air supply through pipe L, all constructed, arranged, and operated as set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

W'ILLIAM TRAVIS BROWNE.

Witnesses:

, FRANK A. BROOKS,

ALBERT G. LAWRENCE. 

